Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-02-10
"oUT OF THE CoMMoN.s

"OUT OF THE COMMON.s
And tho sunlight danced in at the
window and turned her hair to shining
goldS touched the crisp gray locks OF
circle Of light and warmth about the
pair.
II could not &c against mammals
wishes. YOU know" the young lady said
gently, playing with the ring on her
left hand. ''She has had long talk
with me this morning. and. though
knew she disapproved of our engage
ment, never realized before how her
heart was set against IT."
''And you do not think by patient
waiting-by proving how earnest we
are"
mo, John. Mother cannot look OF,
it as we do; she realizes all the dsad-
vantages and none Of the hopes that we
lady glanced down once at her delicate
hands before she would it
be quite fair, John, for me to wait,
and let all other opportunities glide by.
and grow old and sad while waitedP"
John started. There was so much
caution suggested in the words No
doubt she was but repeating them after
her mother, but they fell chillingly on
his ears from those young lips.
ut is true. Maud" he answered,
while look of pain fingered on his
face. You shall not let other chances
of happiness slip by because you are
bound to me. 1t is net lie love
thought you gave the-a love which
trusts and hopes in patient iaithfulness.
am no longer young. dear, but have
ing late in life, but coming for the first
time, Maud, and"-his voice broke
staying with me-nlways.
He rose and turned partly away from
her, quite still, leaning his arms on the
mantelpicce Maud Branson rose too,
and came toward him, her delicate,
beautiful face full of concern. There
was nothing about John Rogers to at
tract notice. He was e vefy plain man,
no longer young, but he had at least
some ci,atm Of mind or soul which had
won the love oi very beautiful wo-
man. Her dress chung in graceful folds
to her slender figure. tillet OF blue
bound the golden hair, which was coil
ed in classic simplicity about her head.
He turned and looked at her taking
in all the details of the picture; then he
put his head down dejectedly on his
crossed arms.
Maud extended one hand appealingly.
John, you will take iip'
"Yes. Maud" he answered, drawing
his breath hard. Il take it-and re-
rounce it." He pattcd this soft surface
once or twice, thoaghtfully. "All that
came with it, and all that goes with it.
Maud, good-by."
There was such a noble sadness in
his face that it touched her. The proud
head bent lower, until it rested on John
Rogers shoulder. She raised herself
with eyes still wet.
''Good-by, John. The world can't
give Just what VIC want"
No. dear. What is it?''
Your ring"
He took the pretty sapphire ring he
had placed on her hand one day with
only half-realized rapture and slipped
it in his vest pocket. 1t was worthless
now.
And so John Rogers left the house
and threaded his way down through the
busy streets. The sunlight still danced
over him warm and beautiful, kissing
his grave face, his hair, his hands.
=. And let all other opportunities
glide by y; he repeated the words 10
himself. rucfully. Its not the old
fashioned love; not the love used to
dream of when was \ boy, Perhaps
there isn't any nowadays"
He looked very tired as he ran up the
steps and rang at the door of his board
ing-house. Clarice noticed it, his land
lady's daughter.
You look tired. Mr.. Rogers" look
ing up from her work and speaking
through the open door.
He smiled. YEARLY.
do |? And what are you doing,
ClariccP Still sewing for those harden
ed little wretchesP"
Yes; isn't this big hole am darn
ing? Boys do wear out their clothing
SO fast. You are home early from the
Office.
Yes, had an engagement at 8
o'clock and did not care to 90 back.
May | como in and have chat with
youP''
20. yes, il you care TO-" with her
quick smile, smile which her eyes be-
lied. and which always seemed to John
'msde to order" She pulled forward
q chair without rising. and went on
with her darning again. II sit in here
because its cool. and l always do my
sewing afternoons; in the mornings
there is housework."
1t was shabby little parlor. seldom
used by the boarders. who were princi-
pally gentlemen. and spent their eve
nings out. if not IN their own rooms.
A few tawdry decorations only enhanced
the shabbiness OF the threadbare car
pet. dirty walls. and ancient lace cur
tains.
DO you never have any amusements.
Claricc?" asked John. trying to forget
his own wretchedness by interesting
himself in some one else.
.Amusements?" she repeated, push
ing the curls off her forehead in puz-
zled way. 20. yes; there is Mr..
Jones; he plays the piano; and once Mr..
Aikens. the elocution teacher, read .
piece and all the boarders came in"
John smiled. cveing the little maiden
pitvingly rs she stitched away. She
looked up suddenly and caught his eye.
I'VE did not always keep boarders.
she said. proudly. reading something
there she did not like. when was at
school we were well off and had nice
house; but mamma is q widow with
eight children. you know. and | have to
help her about the work"
Il know" said John, kindly, looking
at little Clarice with so much sympathy
that she quite warmed toward him. and
continued confidentially:
'Once had beautiful time-that
was good while ago--a girl knew ai
school hunted me up. wrote TO me, and
invited me to visit her. 1t was in Phil
adelphia."
And did you goP"
'Ali. yes. and it was beautiful
timer Then, her face falling, "butI
had to come home. II was all over IN
three months.